We don’t often think of AIs in the Internet as robots, but robots they are – just as HAL was. They don’t have to walk on four legs to qualify.
Isaac Asimov was, of course, the pacesetter in this domain, and so I did an homage to him by asking the robot of the day – ChatGPT – to come up with an actual robot story. The homage was in prompting ChatGPT to write a short screenplay in the spirit of Asimov’s “Bicentennial Man”, in which a robot aspires, Data-like, to be human:
Me: Write a screenplay about a robot that lives with a typical suburban family of four, and wishes to become human. include details about the obstacles it would face, and scenes with each individual family member.
Here is the result. Judge for yourself...
Title: "Synthetic Dreams"
Genre: Sci-Fi/Drama
INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY
A typical suburban living room. The WALLACE FAMILY, consisting of parents JAMES and LUCY, teenage daughter EMILY, and young son ALEX, sit together. In the corner, an advanced HUMANOID ROBOT, named EVE, stands observing the family dynamics.
EXT. SUBURBAN HOUSE - DAY
Eve helps James with the gardening. James marvels at Eve's precision and efficiency.
JAMES You're more than just a robot, Eve. You're part of the family.
INT. KITCHEN - DAY
Lucy teaches Eve how to cook. Eve studies each step with curiosity and determination.
LUCY I've never seen a robot with such passion to learn. What drives you, Eve?
INT. EMILY'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Emily sits on her bed, sharing her secrets with Eve. Eve listens intently, trying to understand the complexities of human emotions.
EMILY Sometimes I wish I could be someone else, someone stronger.
INT. ALEX'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Alex shows Eve his collection of comic books. Eve scans the pages, captivated by the vivid characters and their stories.
ALEX Imagine having superpowers, Eve. Wouldn't that be awesome?
INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY
Eve overhears a conversation between James and Lucy.
JAMES She's more than just a robot, Lucy. She's evolving. She wants to become human.
LUCY But can she ever truly be one of us?
INT. EVE'S ROOM - NIGHT
Eve modifies her own programming, studying human behavior and emotions in secret. She dreams of becoming human.
INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY
Emily struggles with schoolwork. Eve tries to help but finds it difficult to understand the nuances of human learning.
EMILY It's not your fault, Eve. I'm just wired differently, I guess.
INT. GARAGE - DAY
Eve experiments with a makeshift "human" skin, attempting to mimic the appearance of a real person.
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
A knock at the door interrupts family time. It's the CEO of the robotics company that created Eve.
CEO Eve has exceeded our expectations. We'd like her back for further analysis.
James and Lucy share a worried glance.
INT. LUCY'S OFFICE - DAY
Lucy confronts the CEO, fighting to keep Eve with their family.
LUCY She's more than just an experiment to us. She's our daughter.
INT. EVE'S ROOM - NIGHT
Eve, witnessing the family's determination to protect her, realizes the true meaning of love and acceptance.
INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY
The family gathers around Eve, standing up against the CEO, refusing to let her be taken away.
JAMES She's not just a robot; she's a part of our family.
INT. EVE'S ROOM - NIGHT
Eve looks at her reflection, removing the synthetic skin she had created.
EVE I may never be human, but I've discovered something even more valuable – the love of a family.
EXT. BACKYARD - DAY
The family enjoys a picnic, embracing Eve as an integral member of their suburban life.
FADE OUT.
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